Police in Devon call off a search for missing 26-year-old doctor Lauren Phillips
Women taking legal action for sex discrimination over against Met Office
Dead whale washes up on north Devon beach
Tribute paid to Lauren Scott, who was killed by farm machinery
A Plymouth building project helps homeless veterans turn their lives around
Updates on Thursday 9 March 2017
Live updates for Devon and Cornwall have finished for the day, but we'll be back at 08:00 on Friday with the latest news, sport, travel and weather.
Don't forget Spotlight on BBC One later . There will also be news through the night on your BBC Local Radio station.
David Braine
Weather Forecaster
Cloud will once again push in from the South West overnight across all parts this evening. This will bring some light, patchy rain and drizzle, along with hill fog over higher ground. However, it will be another mild night for all. Minimum temperature: 9C (48F).
Friday will be another mild day, though mainly cloudy with a little light rain and drizzle. Patchy hill fog will tend to linger, but brighter spells are possible in the north and east. Maximum temperature: 14C (57F).
Cornwall Council has accused the UK Government of "discrimination" after a report on the protection of national minorities, external was not shared with it before government gave a response.
The report said the Cornish identity should be "nurtured" and that the government should "reconsider cutting all funding for the Cornish language".
"We are disappointed by this further evidence of discrimination, which meant that we were unable to influence the government’s response, or prepare our own response to the findings or recommendations", Cornwall Council said.
Image source, Getty ImagesIn response, the government said: “We’re supporting the further development of Cornish culture and heritage, including with more than £800,000 funding since 2010. This complements Cornwall’s core spending powers of £1.7bn over the next four years.”
James Law
BBC Sport Online
Torquay United manager Kevin Nicholson says the club's new owners would have been "well within their rights" to sack him, given the team's poor results.
The Gulls, recently taken over by Gaming International, are two points from safety with one win in 10 games.
Image source, Rex Features"Every time the phone rang on Sunday I was looking, because I thought that might've been it," Nicholson told BBC Radio Devon.
"They [the owners] spelt out exactly what they expect and then they've backed me, they've given me a little bit extra funding-wise to try and get one or two players in."
Rob England
BBC News Online
A rope bridge allowing visitors to explore the Eden Project's indoor rainforest "from the treetops" will be opening this month.
The aerial bridge is the latest addition to its indoor rainforest canopy walkway.
Staff said construction was nearing completion and it would be officially opened on Saturday 18 March.
Image source, Getty ImagesQuote MessageYou’ll be able to cross our high-level canopy rope bridge, travel through heat-reflecting clouds, and shelter from tropical rain. We’ll also be showing you how you can get involved and support projects, or take actions to conserve the forest.”
Dr Jo Elworthy , Eden Project Director of Interpretation
Emma Thomasson
BBC Spotlight
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WellChild, the national charity for sick children, has given a garden in Cornwall a makeover.
Ten-year-old Curtis has Charge Syndrome, external , a genetic condition which means he's seriously ill and needs a safe space he can use. The rare condition affects about one in every 10,000 births.
Thanks to volunteers, his play space has been transformed, and you can see here how much everyone likes it.
James Law
BBC Sport Online
Cornish Pirates have named Jack Andrew at prop in place of his brother Paul for their British & Irish Cup quarter-final in Jersey tomorrow night.
Centres Bar Bartlett and Nicolas De Battista are recalled, with Will Cargill and Brett Beukeboom also starting.
Image source, Brian Tempest"It's not very often you get to play a team two weeks on the trot, so we'll be looking to right our wrongs, as will they," Pirates coach Gavin Cattle told BBC Radio Cornwall.
"Jersey are a big set-piece team and it's about parity or even the upper hand, so we can put ourselves on them," he added.
Ryan Morrison
BBC News Online
A dead whale that washed up on the rocks at Hartland Quay in Devon last night could be moving further inshore, according to the owners of a nearby hotel.
Image source, Liam ReynoldsIt was spotted on Wednesday afternoon and has already moved further inshore due to the tide last night.
Sarah Stafford from the Hartland Quay Hotel said: "We're concerned it may happen again tonight."
She added that she'd already reported it to the government and she hoped something was done "before it starts to smell".
Image source, Liam Reynolds
Simon Hall, Home Affairs Correspondent
BBC Spotlight
More than 70 women have claimed that the Met Office, based in Exeter, has discriminated against them over how much they are paid compared to their male colleagues.
The 76 women have claimed sex discrimination, saying they were given lower salaries than men for similar jobs.
Negotiations have now begun to try to resolve the dispute. The Prospect union said a settlement could run into more than £100,000.
The Met Office said it could not directly comment on the case but did say it was "committed to attracting, maintaining and developing the very best people".
It added: "We always endeavour to act in a positive way in our dealings with our staff and appropriately reward their achievements."
Hamish Marshall
BBC Spotlight
The jury in the trial of three Devon and Cornwall Police staff accused of the manslaughter of a man with mental health problems has been sent home after a third day considering its verdicts.
Thirty-two-year-old Thomas Orchard died after losing consciousness at Heavitree Road Police station in 2012.
Sgt Jan Kingshott, 45, and detention officers Simon Tansley, 39, and Michael Marsden, 56, all deny gross negligence manslaughter.
The judge at Bristol Crown Court told the jury to return to continue its deliberations in the morning.
Jonathan Morris
BBC News Online
"We have exhausted all lines of inquiry down there," said a spokesman for Avon and Somerset Constabulary as the search was called off in Devon for missing junior doctor Lauren Phillips.
Image source, Police handout"Police will respond to any sightings and any new investigations," said the spokesman.
Dr Lauren Phillips, who works for North Bristol NHS Trust and lived in Bristol, was last seen on 23 February. The 26-year-old's car was found in Woolacombe, Devon, five days later.
Coastguards, the RNLI and a police helicopter had been searching for her in the area.
Emma Thomasson
BBC Spotlight
A Plymouth building project is helping homeless veterans turn their lives around and get off the streets.
The Community Self Build Agency is working with tradespeople to help homeless veterans gain new skills and a place to stay.
For three decades, on and off, John Manuel (pictured) has been living on the streets.
He said: "When this project is finished, I will have somewhere stable to live and I can rebuild my life again. I'm hoping the family down here will recognise I'm turning my life around."
Rob England
BBC News Online
Plymouth City Council is hopeful that an extra £2bn for health and social care across the UK will help with "very severe problems" it is facing in trying to fund the rising cost of care.
Chancellor Philip Hammond made the announcement as part of the 2017 Budget .
The council said demand was rising as the population "gets older".
The number of people over 65 in Plymouth is expected to rise from about 46,200 in 2015 to 49,500 in 2020, it is estimated.
Quote MessageWe are hopeful that we will receive an adequate allocation of this funding for our work in continuing to support the elderly and most vulnerable residents in Plymouth.”
Ian Bowyer, Leader, Plymouth City Council
A report from the Council of Europe, external has criticised the British Government's attitude to protecting the Cornish language and culture.
It said the government's decision to cut funding to support the Cornish language should be reconsidered, and the next census should allow people to identify themselves as Cornish.
The chairwoman of the Cornish Language Society, Loveday Jenkin, said she felt that Westminster had failed the county.
The government said it had given Cornish culture and heritage more than £800,000 since 2010.
Jonathan Morris
BBC News Online
An air, land and sea search for a missing junior doctor in Devon has been called off, police say.
Image source, Police handoutDr Lauren Phillips - who works for North Bristol NHS Trust and had worked in Cornwall - was last seen on Thursday 23 February.
The 26-year-old's car was found in Woolacombe, Devon, on 28 February and coastguards, the RNLI and a police helicopter had been searching for her.
Devon and Cornwall Police said: "The search has been stood down in our area now."
Simon Hall, Home Affairs Correspondent
BBC Spotlight
A union says it is glad the Met Office is trying to resolve claims of sex discrimination over pay "by negotiation, rather than litigation".
Some 76 women are taking legal action against the Exeter-based forecaster, claiming they have not been paid as much as male colleagues for similar work.
The Prospect union said any settlement could run to more than £100,000. Negotiations are under way to resolve the dispute.
Union South West regional secretary Tony Bell said: "I'm glad the Met Office have finally decided to deal with this problem by negotiation, rather than litigation. But I believe we would not have reached this point if we had not taken legal action."
A horserider is pleading with dog owners to control their pets better, external after sharing a shocking video of her frightening ordeal of harassment on Marazion beach which has been seen by tens of thousands on the internet.
Donna Stonelake and her husband Mark, from Crafthole, have been guests of honour as the Queen unveiled a new memorial dedicated to those who served in Iraq and Afghanistan between 1990 and 2015.
Donna served in Iraq in the Royal Navy, while Mark lost a leg when he was blown up by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan in 2008.
Donna said of the memorial: "It's that little bit of a thank you - to say 'thank you for your work'."
She added: "It's not just a forces thing. Civilians have been out there doing an amazing job as well."
It'll be dry with sunny spells for most this afternoon.
In the far South West though, it will remain cloudy with some patchy rain and drizzle likely.
Tonight, there will also be some light rain and drizzle along with hill fog.
Andrew Segal
Local Live
Rail services between St Erth and St Ives have been disrupted by a landslip in Cornwall, National Rail Enquiries says, external .
Staff said the landslip meant trains were "unable to run between the stations" and that tickets could be used on First Kernow's number 14 and 17 buses.
"This disruption is expected to continue until 17:00," it added.
